Accessibility

There is step free access to our main reception, café, shop, galleries, Project Space, Event Space, Learning Studio, Sky Room, and Changing Places Toilet. 

The main entrance is located on ground floor, accessible via street level. The lowered help desk can be found through the automatic double doors where there is always a friendly member of the MK Gallery team to assist you. Our staff receive regular training to ensure they’re confident in welcoming all visitors and are readily available for any questions you might have. 

Personal Assistant/carer tickets can be requested at no extra cost for all ticketed events by visiting our main reception or contacting us on 01908 676900. 

Our building is wheelchair friendly. We have 1 wheelchair for use onsite. You can request a wheelchair at the help desk, or email/call to book in advance. If you might like someone to lend a supportive arm during your visit, please contact us in advance and we will do our best to find a volunteer who can assist.  

There are four disabled parking bays directly outside the front of the Gallery which are shared with Milton Keynes Theatre. Unfortunately, they cannot be reserved. 

Our galleries are all based on the ground floor of the building and staffed by our team of experienced volunteers. Doors to enter and exit the galleries are power assisted. 

Due to fire regulations our Sky Room auditorium can currently only accommodate two wheelchairs. Front row seats are also suited to people with limited mobility. Please book in advance to reserve these for seated performances. All other seats lead off stepped aisles.

For non-seated performances chairs will be made available for those who request them. Please ask a member of staff on your arrival or contact us in advance of your visit. 

For specific queries about the accessibility of our buildings, please contact access@mkgallery.org

We have a range of ‘Relaxed’ events on offer at the Gallery. They include Relaxed Exhibition viewings, and Relaxed Cinema Screenings. These events have sensory friendly adjustments which aim to reduce overstimulation and create a relaxed and welcoming environment. They are particularly suited to individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families, and anyone who feels they would benefit from these spaces.

Relaxed Cinema Screenings

We have a regular programme of relaxed cinema screenings, primarily for family films. Adjustments to the cinema and film screenings for these events include:  

• Reduced sound and lighting 
• No trailers 
• Freedom to move around 
• Take your own food and drink 
• Personal assistant / carer tickets available 
• Social Story document downloads 

To find out when the next Relaxed Cinema Screenings are taking place, please visit the ‘What’s On’ section of our website and select the ‘Cinema’ and ‘Accessible Events’ filters.

Relaxed Exhibition Viewings

Relaxed Exhibition Viewings take place one Sunday a month during each of our exhibitions. These quiet hours are tailored towards visitors with neurodivergence, inclusive of communication or sensory needs, autism, and learning disabilities.  

Tickets are limited during this time to reduce the number of people in the Galleries, hand driers are switched off, and Sensory Scout Kits (inclusive of ear defenders and sensory aids) and Sensory Menus are available in the main entrance. 

Social stories for these events are available to download from our website.  

To find out when our next Relaxed Exhibition Viewings are taking place, please visit the ‘What’s On’ section of our website, and select the ‘Exhibitions & Accessible Events’ filters.

Visiting our exhibitions

Exhibitions may contain sound, film, flashing lights or other sensory experiences which may not be suitable for all visitors. Please speak to a member of our team on the day or call/email us for any queries you may have about an exhibition. The gallery will always provide signage and warning should there be any flashing lights used. 

Sensory scout kits are available at the main entrance subject to availability. These contain a range of sensory aids including ear defenders and are available for anyone who may benefit from this equipment as they explore our exhibitions and wider Gallery site. 

Social stories can be provided in advance of your visit, for anyone who would find this supportive. Please contact access@mkgallery.org for more details.

Assistance dogs 

We welcome accredited assistance dogs, with water bowls available on request.  

Visiting our exhibitions 

All exhibition guides and floor maps labels are available in large print format at the front desk. As our exhibitions are continually changing, certain gallery spaces may have low lighting or different environments. Please speak to a member of the front desk team if you have any queries before entering.  

Audio Description for cinema

Audio description is a special service for visually impaired cinema goers. For most films a narration track is available which can be accessed through special headphones only. This fills the gaps between dialogue by describing what is happening on screen and doesn’t affect the experience of other audience members. 

If you would like to book an Audio Description headset in advance of your visit, please contact our Front of House team on 01908 676 900 or info@mkgallery.org. You can bring your own headphones with a standard 3.5 auxiliary connection if you would find this more comfortable. 

Please note this service is not available for Event Cinema e.g. NT Live or Royal Opera House screenings. 

Audio Described Exhibition Tours

These artist led tours take place twice per exhibition and provide in depth visual descriptions and tactile interactions that bring key artworks in each exhibition to life. MK Gallery volunteers are on hand during these events to act as sighted guides for visitors who may need it. Companion tickets for these events can be acquired free of charge.  

To find out when the next Audio Described exhibition tours are taking place, please visit the ‘What’s On’ section of our website and select the ‘Tours’ and ‘Accessible Events’ filters. 

Volunteer-led Audio Described Exhibition Experiences  

If you are unable to make it to one of our artist led Audio Described Exhibition Tours, we have trained volunteers who are available to guide you through our exhibitions and provide audio descriptions. If you would be interested in this service, please contact access@mkgallery.org

BSL Artist-led Exhibition Tours 

Led by deaf artist and tour guide Chisato Minamimura, these tours are delivered in BSL only and provide an in-depth exploration of our exhibitions. They take place once per exhibition on Saturday mornings.  

BSL-interpreted Exhibition Tours 

Led by one of MK Gallery’s volunteer tour guides and supported by an accredited BSL interpreter, these tours are particularly suited to those who are visiting in a mixed group of Hearing and Deaf, and for those who are learning BSL. They take place once per exhibition on Saturday mornings. 

BSL event interpretation 

We try to offer BSL interpretation at all our openings exhibition openings, and captions and BSL interpretation for all our Zoom events. If you require this for event you are attending, please contact access@mkgallery.org and we will do what we can to provide this for you. 

Assisted hearing 

We currently have a counter loop system at the front desk as you enter the gallery and our shop area. We also have a portable induction hearing loop which is bookable in advance for events. Please contact access@mkgallery.org for more information. 

We have a room loop hearing system in our Sky Room auditorium and cinema. Where available (dependent on the film), a separate independent listening device is available for listening to either the Hearing Impaired audio that accompanies a film. This is also available as a neck loop for use with hearing aids. 

We also have a room loop hearing system in our Learning Studio.

There are accessible and gender-neutral toilets on the second floor of the main gallery building. You can reach these via the stairs with a mezzanine landing on the first floor or via our lift. Our lift can accommodate two wheelchairs.

We have a Changing Places Toilet on our ground floor, which is accessible via our gallery spaces and Learning Studio. A member of staff can direct you to this. Download the Social Story here.